As a community acupuncturist, a lot of what we do revolves around selecting acupuncture point combinations to treat disease patterns. We insert needles to work in conjunction with an individual’s constitution for healing. There are no gurus here. We provide acupuncture, plain and simple.

But there is another part of our work that goes beyond needling and it has to do with how we inhabit the clinic. Some POCA members refer to it as “holding space,” and I like to think of it as an act of welcoming. We invite people to show up as they are. We welcome them when they feel broken, angry, tired or sad—when they struggle to change a damaging mindset—when they must deal with logistical and practical problems, like finding a job or a place to live—or any of the other myriad reasons life can be challenging.

Since the election, the clinic has functioned as a refuge for many people to sort out their responses. As a practitioner it’s felt really good to hold the space for people and to be of service in this way. Long Beach is one of the most diverse cities in the United States and our clinic on any given day reflects a cross-section of differences and of unity.

As we enter the peak holiday season and the last month of what has been a tumultuous and difficult year, know that this clinic is a safe place for you. We welcome you here to weather the changes that are coming with 2017.